SOUTHPORT – Arthur Mengies Johnson, 83, former University of Maine president, died unexpectedly at his home on the evening of Sept. 18, 2004. Born July 24, 1921, in Waltham, Mass., he was the son of Frederic P. & Florence May (Bishop) Johnson. Following his early education, Dr. Johnson went on to earn his B.A. from Harvard University in 1944, continuing at Vanderbilt University, where he earned his Ph.D., in history, in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, during World War II, and re-entered during the Korean War, where he was discharged as a Captain in 1953. Dr. Johnson and Emily Ann Wilford were united in marriage, Dec. 28, 1946. From 1954-58, Dr. Johnson served as assistant Professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, serving, as a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Business Administration at Harvard University from 1958-70 and from 1970-84 was professor of American History at The University of Maine. He served in several capacities at Maine, including chair of the history department, and following other teaching and administrative positions, became its president. An active member of several boards throughout Maine, he believed passionately in the good of this state. Some of those board positions included president of Bangor Savings Bank, president of New England Economical Education Council, chairman of Bigalow Lab for Ocean Sciences, Boothbay Harbor. He was a member and trustee of the Eleutherian Mills-Hagley Foundation for many years, as well as trustee of Husson College and Maine Maritime Academy. Dr. Johnson authored several articles throughout his career, which reflected his vast knowledge and interest in people, economy, and development. He had a deep and lengthy love for Miles Memorial Hospital, where he served as a trustee for many years. He also served on the Board of the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland, the Maine Marine Research Board, the Maine Indian Tribal State, as well as numerous other organizations. He and his wife lived for many years in Castine, coming to Newagen, in Southport, a home which they loved. Surviving is his wife of 59 years, of Southport; his son, Robert M. Johnson and his sister, Anne E. Brackett of Bath; his daughter, Nancy Johnson predeceased him in 1980. Dr. Johnson will be laid to rest, with his daughter, 1 p.m., Wednesday, at the Castine Cemetery. The Strong Funeral Home will announce a public memorial service, in the near future. If friends and family desire, donations may be made to the Southport Memorial Library, Southport, ME, or the University of Maine Alumni Association, PO Box 550, Orono, ME 04473
ARTHUR MENGIES JOHNSON
